Although publishing scholarship is central to faculty work, finding time to research and write amid teaching, grading, committee responsibilities, and daily demands can be challenging. The process can also feel isolating, as much of this work happens independently.

At Stetson, the Academic Writing and Publishing Faculty Inquiry Group (FIG) addresses these challenges by bringing together a supportive community of faculty writers.

Now in its second year, the FIG brings faculty together each month for dedicated writing sessions. Participants share experiences, set goals and make meaningful progress on projects ranging from scholarly articles, book proposals, creative writing to conference presentations.

During the 2024–2025 academic year, the Stetson University Writing Center and the Brown Center for Faculty Innovation and Excellence partnered to plan and support faculty working on publishing scholarship. The initiative was designed to encourage collaborative learning, as well as reflective practice around academic writing and publishing.

The inaugural FIG was led by Leigh Ann Dunning, PhD, director of the Writing Center, and Yanhong Zuo, PhD, a then-Brown Visiting Teacher-Scholar. Together, they facilitated a cohort of 16 faculty members representing a range of disciplines and career stages, from early-career lecturers to tenure-track professors. All members were given Laura Belcher’s book, “Writing Your Journal Article in Twelve Weeks: A Guide to Academic Publishing Success,” which provided a structured guide for academic publishing. A course page on Canvas was also added, providing space to save resources and share ideas via the discussion board.

Since then, Dunning has continued to lead the FIG, which has welcomed new members and successfully built connections through regular check-ins.

“It’s so rewarding to hear that one of our members has presented at a conference or published an article they’ve been working toward,” she said. “We celebrate those wins and encourage one another to keep going.”

‘Helps Transform a Solitary Task’

For participants, the structured time to write alongside colleagues has been especially valuable. According to Amy Smith, PhD, assistant professor of Elementary Mathematics Education, while balancing the roles of teacher and scholar can be challenging, having dedicated time and support to focus on writing — whether brainstorming with peers, researching or drafting — has been an important part of her professional journey at Stetson.

Sarah Cramer, associate professor of Environmental Studies, said the monthly meetings quickly became a highlight of her month. “Writing is a core part of our work as teacher-scholars at Stetson, but it is so often done in isolation,” she noted. “Even though much of the meeting time is spent quietly writing side by side, the shared space helps transform a solitary task into a communal one.”

Cramer credits the FIG with helping her complete two peer-reviewed articles that were recently published.

Through the partnership between the Writing Center and the Brown Center, the Academic Writing and Publishing FIG continues to provide faculty with a space to connect, reflect and make progress on their scholarly work — demonstrating that academic writing does not have to happen alone.

Note: The FIG is currently recruiting additional members for 2026-2027 academic year. If you are a faculty member interested in joining the FIG, please email [email protected].